Carey is a village in Wyandot County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,565 at the 2020 census.

The village is near Sheriden Cave, where habitation occurred around 11,000BC. The village of Carey was founded in 1843 when William M. Buell and R. M. Shuler laid out the town on land that they owned. The town was named after Judge John Carey, an early prominent resident.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.99 square miles (5.15 km), of which 1.98 square miles (5.13 km) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km) is water.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	692		—
1880	1,148		65.9%
1890	1,605		39.8%
1900	1,816		13.1%
1910	2,225		22.5%
1920	2,488		11.8%
1930	2,722		9.4%
1940	2,984		9.6%
1950	3,260		9.2%
1960	3,722		14.2%
1970	3,523		−5.3%
1980	3,674		4.3%
1990	3,684		0.3%
2000	3,901		5.9%
2010	3,674		−5.8%
2020	3,565		−3.0%
2023 (est.)	3,491		−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,674 people, 1,521 households, and 983 families living in the village. The population density was 1,855.6 inhabitants per square mile (716.5/km). There were 1,646 housing units at an average density of 831.3 per square mile (321.0/km). The racial makeup of the village was 96.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 1,521 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the village was 37.1 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 27% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,901 people, 1,543 households, and 1,023 families living in the village. The population density was 1,977.6 inhabitants per square mile (763.6/km). There were 1,607 housing units at an average density of 814.6 per square mile (314.5/km). The racial makeup of the village was 96.41% White, 0.15% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 1,543 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,116, and the median income for a family was $40,921. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $22,123 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,309. About 4.6% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Carey is served by a mayor and a six-member village council. The mayor and council members are elected for four-year terms, with elections every two years. Two council members are elected in the same cycle as the mayor; the remaining four council members are elected in alternate election years. Carey's current mayor, Jennifer Rathburn, is a lifelong resident of the village who was elected in 2017 after previous stints as interim mayor and council president.

Carey Public Schools are part of the Carey Exempted Village School District. There is one elementary school, one high school, and one Catholic School (Our Lady of Consolation) in the district. Students attend Carey High School.

Carey has a lending library, the Dorcas Carey Public Library.

• John Carey, US Congressman
• Don Wedge, NFL and Collegiate Official

• Village website